Asked what he thought was the difference late in the game, Grier said, “I literally believe that our guys, you could see the energy, the effort ratcheted up another level on the glass. They were just not going to be denied today.”

After sweeping Pepperdine home and away, USD opens the conference tournament next Thursday against the Waves.

Meanwhile, it’s been a trying four years for Rancifer, Manresa and Miles. They dealt with a 6-24 season. They’ve dealt with Brandon Johnson’s bribery scandal. Barring a miracle finish, they will not have experienced a winning season. Their career record to date: 44-80.

“But you know what?” said Burns. “Neither one took a redshirt season. A lot of kids would have transferred. Not these three. They stuck around for each other.”